Jakob Kirckman

Jacob Kirkman, né Kirchmann (4 March 1710, Bischwiller, Alsace {modern France} — 9 June 1792, Greenwich, England), was a British maker of harpsichords and other keyboard stringed instruments of Swiss-Alsatian descent; primarily worked in London. He was the uncle of Abraham Kirkman (1737—1794) and granduncle of Joseph Kirkman, Sr. (1763—1830). Not to be confused with Jacob Kirkman (1746—1812), British composer, pianist, and reportedly, Jacob's nephew. Trained as a cabinetmaker, Jacob Kirchmann immigrated to England in the early 1730s; he settled in London, working for a Flemish harpsichord maker Hermann Hendrik Tabel (ca.1660—1738). Like most of his relatives who relocated to England, Jacob anglicized his surname, known professionally as "Kirckman" or "Kirkman." In 1738, Jacob married Tabel's widow and took over his business. He naturalized as a British citizen in 1755. In 1763, Jacob Kirkman earned Her Majesty's royal warrant of appointment from the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Charlotte (1744—1818), George III's consort. His company excelled and gained a strong reputation for impeccable craftsmanship. Later on, Jacob Kirkman was often cited as one of the greatest 18th-century harpsichord makers in England, alongside Burkhard Shudi (1702—1773) and his former mentor, Herman Tabel. Around 1772, Jacob, who had no children, began working with his nephew, Abraham; they signed collaborative builds as "Jacobus et Abraham Kirckman." Presumably, Abraham eventually inherited his uncle's workshop. Name variations: Kirchmann, Kirckmann, Kirckman Nameplates Above keyboard, in ornate/calligraphic font, signed in Latin: ☞ Jacobus Kirckman fecit Londini 17.. ☞ Roses with a "sitting King with a lyre," surrounded by initials IK